Bound by Blood (Vampire Romance)

by Tara Manderino

  “What is in it for the survivor? I have to believe Carlos, if this is indeed from him, plans to be among the victors.”

  “That’s not so easy to say. Immortality, perhaps, or invincibility.”

  Alex pushed away from the table and straightened. “There has to be more. Carlos doesn’t strike me as the type to lust for either of those things, aside from the fact that he could be considered immortal now. No, he’s simply not smart enough to think he needs to look for more than what he is.”

  “You knew him a long time ago,” Philip reminded him. “People change; they grow.”

  Alex scoffed. “Not this much. In fact, while I think Carlos delivered these messages, I find it impossible to believe t he actually wrote them. I’m not sure the man even knows Lengadocian. It’s little enough known, and Carlos has a hard enough time with Spanish.” Born and raised in Mexico, those were harsh words against Carlos, but he meant every one of them. There had to be someone else. The language itself should be a clue. “What about the ruby?” he suddenly asked Philip.

  Philip stood, his fingertips still on the edge of the table. “What about it? Louis’s message or Carlos’ words? I don’t know if, or how, either fits in with this,” he gestured to the papers on the table.

  “Then why would he say something about it?”

  Philip shrugged. “It doesn’t seem he really said anything, merely that it was valuable.”

  “It has to mean something.” Alex twisted the ring on his finger. “I’ve had this for over two hundred and fifty years. Why would it be important now?”

  “Maybe it’s not this ruby at all.”

  “Perhaps not.” There was total lack of conviction in his voice. He looked to the window at the slightly lightening sky.

  “It will be light soon,” Philip said, following his gaze.

  It was good that Philip was one of the few people who managed to watch the night with him. He had known the man for years. Philip had studied vampires before he ever believed they were real. Now he was an ally as such, definitely a resource. One that many of them used. And they used his place as a safe haven when the need arose.

  “You are waiting until right before sunrise?”

  Alex nodded. It was the best time. He would not be quite at his peak, but neither would Carlos, who was not a terribly strong vampire to begin with. If the child was still with him he would make sure she was returned to the Morgan’s no worse for the wear. More importantly, he would discover what Carlos wanted, otherwise he might strike again.

  ~*~

  Lisa wandered around Alex’s house. She didn’t know what she was looking for, if anything, perhaps some clue that would explain his reasoning for what he had told her or the tricks he performed. No way could she absolutely, unquestioningly believe what he had said. It had to be a bunch of nonsense. How gullible did he think she was?

  With him out of the house, she could relax. It was probably the first real breath she had taken since he walked out the door. She didn’t know why she thought he would be any safer here than anywhere else, but she had to admit she had little desire to return to the Morgan’s empty handed. He seemed intent on keeping her away from them. Or was he keeping them from her? Either way made no sense. It wasn’t as if they would have done anything to their own daughter.

  The soft whoosh of the draperies automatically opening startled her and she frowned and whirled in their direction. Perhaps they had done so the previous night and she didn’t remember, not that she could recall if the drapes had been open or closed. Strange that they should open at this time of day. Without thought, she walked to the plate glass window. From the front, the house sat level with the street, but from the back, the ground sloped away. Standing in front of the glass she could see the treetops bathed in moonlight. She imagined it would be a spectacular view of the sunrise. But what if Alex had been telling the truth? Did that mean he never watched the sun come up? She shook her head at her own train of thought. No way could he be telling the truth.

  She would think better with a hot cup of tea. She got the impression Alex definitely would not be coming home anytime soon, which gave her plenty of time to reach a decision as to how long she should remain here.

  Making tea was a good thought, but not one easily brought to fruition. She knew from her previous visit he didn’t keep food, but surely he would have something to drink. There were no pots to be found, let alone a tea kettle. There was a coffee maker. She supposed she could use that if she had to. Not only were there no tea bags, there was nothing in the cupboards save a few mugs and glasses. The man didn’t even have the basic necessities, yet his things would definitely be considered upscale, luxurious even. Spying a container of cocoa in one of the cabinets, she took it and placed it on the counter as she looked for the milk. At least she could make it in a microwave, which he did have.

  The refrigerator yielded several bottles of wine, but no milk. Closing the door, she leaned against the refrigerator for a moment considering its contents. She had teased the detective about drinking on an empty stomach but from the amount of wine he had in there it was probably a normal occurrence. Curious, since she couldn’t remember seeing a label, she opened the door again and looked more closely. Reaching in, she moved and turned a few of the bottles about to see if any of them bore a label she may have missed. One did.

  Removing an opened unlabeled bottle, she closed the door with her hip and placed the bottle on the counter before grabbing one of the few glasses. Glad the bottle had a screw top, she untwisted it and began to pour some into the glass. Before more than a few drops left the bottle she stopped the flow. It was thick… and looked like blood. Her imagination was in overdrive after his suggestions. That was all. Slowly she moved the bottle to her nose and swallowed convulsively. It didn’t smell like any wine she ever had. Placing the bottle on the counter, she picked up the glass. She hadn’t realized her hand was shaking. Tilting the glass, she let the few drops coat the bottom. She contemplated putting a drop on her finger and tasting it, but what if it really was blood? Tamping down her gag reflex, she quickly rinsed the glass at the sink and set it on the counter to dry then shoved the bottle back in the refrigerator. Could Alex seriously believe he was a vampire – to the extent that he would keep blood? In her mind, she could hear him again, ‘I’m a vampire.’ But they didn’t exist.

  Unbidden, stories her father told her as a child came back. Tales Alex had seemed well versed in.

  Leaving the kitchen, she poked around the rest of the house, looking to see if there was anything to support or disabuse Alex’s claim. Aside from the great room and powder room on the first floor, which she had already seen, everything looked normal enough. At least she understood why he didn’t have a dining room. The small breakfast bar in the kitchen certainly would be adequate for his needs from what she could see. She shook her head. Could she seriously be contemplating he really was a vampire? Snooping around the upstairs or the basement seemed too much an invasion of privacy no matter how much she wished to know about him

  The darkness outside showed it was full night, but she never felt less like sleep. She was too wired without even having any caffeine. If he was busy with his own activities – not that she wanted to dwell on what they might be – perhaps she would be better with the Morgans.

  Still, vampires? Did she even believe there were such things, or more accurately believe there were people who believed they themselves were such beings?

  Then she remembered being above the floor. That was definitely not her imagination. He had moved at the same speed as Carlos. The real question for her was if she could beat him at it. Oh, she would never be faster, Alex convinced her of that, but she could be more cunning. There had to be a way to get Carlos out of the house, at least out of her vicinity so she could rescue Sandy. That was all that mattered -- the innocent child should be released unharmed.

  Somewhere in the stories her father had told her she recalled hearing vampires were weakened by sunlight. She had momen
tary misgivings when she recalled how Alex had moved about during the day. Further proof that he could not be a vampire? Regardless, her best chance of rescuing Sandy would be shortly before daybreak. Quickly she called and reserved a cab for that time.

  Again, she had the driver drop her off at the corner. This time though she was prepared and knew not to exhibit any fear. There couldn’t be such things as vampires. But there was another dimension, the stories she heard growing up were full of them. She would have to be brave, have to get Sandy.

  A task much easier said than done.

  She stayed in the shadows of the neighboring houses, thankful for the amount of shrubbery the neighborhood seemed to think essential. What if Alex had been telling the truth? She brushed away the thought. Immediately, the fact that there was nothing resembling food in his kitchen leapt to her mind. ‘Focus,’ she told herself. When she was here earlier, in spite of the fact that she was terrified, she had noticed a basement with street level windows, not unlike the other houses in the area. If one of those were open it would be a snug fit but she could manage to squeeze her body through and enter the house. When she was closer, she saw, that unlike his neighbors, Carlos has managed to modernize a bit and had glass block windows in place, providing an effective barricade.

  This close to the house, literally with her body against the side of it, she could feel the roughness of the bricks beneath her gloved hands. If possible, she would try to get in through the door; if one was left open. The front door was locked tight, as was the side door. Unsure of where to head next, she followed the house outline until she was around the back where the ground sloped away allowing access to the older sliding glass patio door, creating a basement entrance. She couldn’t see through the vertical blinds hanging across the window but the room beyond looked dark. She took that as a good sign. Her hand trembled as she reached out for the door handle, letting it rest there a moment, listening. Confident there were no sounds from inside, she tugged at the hold, relieved when it slid open. She pushed it aside just enough for her to slip in then hurriedly closed it after her. She didn’t want a draft to alert anyone of her presence.

  Giving herself a moment to adjust to the darkness, she stayed close to the wall abutting the door. She began moving in the direction of the stairs when a hard body immediately plastered itself across hers, a hand over her mouth stifled her scream.

  When she quickly inhaled, it was his scent, and she relaxed. He pressed against her harder until she felt as if she were going to leave a permanent imprint in the wall. Didn’t he recognize her?

  “I wondered how long it would take before you arrived, Alessandro. You certainly took your time.”

  Alex said nothing.

  She could hear the other person –vampire – sniffing the air. “Ah, we have the nanny too. She was here earlier.”

  It was a statement, not a question. She froze in place.

  She hadn’t heard him come any closer, but his voice sounded that way. It sounded as if he were directly behind Alex. As if to prove her right, Alex turned his body, so she was entirely hidden behind him, his granite shoulders against her nose.

  “Carlos. If you wanted to find me, you only had to ask. I’m not hiding.”

  There was a raspy chuckle. “You are not necessary.”

  Alex relaxed his stance, but she quickly realized he had merely shifted his weight, giving him the freedom to move should he wish.

  “And the nanny? Were you brining me fresh goods.”

  Was he talking about what she thought? Surely not.

  “I imagine she is here for the same reason I am.”

  “Oh, not the same reason, Alessandro, but perhaps she also wants the child.”

  Could there be any other reason? Alex seemed to think so earlier, but he hadn’t been very articulate about it.

  “Where’s the child, Carlos?”

  “Tsk, tsk. So impatient. She’s fine,” he said. “It’s to my best interest, or should I say, ours, Alessandro, that she remains that way.”

  “She needs to be with her family, in her own bed,” Lisa spoke up. She couldn’t stand the thought of Sandy being so close and not with her.

  “Lisa?”

  They all heard the small voice float down the stairs.

  “I’m here --” She broke off when she sensed rather than felt Carlos advance. Before she even recognized the threat, Alex pushed her further into the wall. There would definitely be an imprint.

  As Carlos reached out for her, Alex blocked the other vampire, sending him sailing away from her. There was no other word. All the while, she could hear light footsteps coming down the stairs and Sandy calling her name.

  When Alex leaned toward Carlos, she pushed past him, lunging for the stairs and snatching the child to her. She ran toward Alex, only to find her way blocked by Carlos. He had appeared slighter than Alex, but this close he was formidable.

  Alex pushed him aside, “Go,” he screamed at Lisa. Even as he did, Carlos reached out and snagged her by the arm. She managed to push Sandy free toward the door, but again Carlos was too quick, stopping the child’s flight. “Not so fast.”

  The look he showed to Alex was horrifying in his superiority. “Now what, Alessandro?”

  Alex looked at him, not making eye contact with Lisa. “You tell me.”

  Chapter 13

  Nothing good could come of this. Carlos literally had Lisa and Cassandra where he wanted them. He wasn’t sure of his role in this scheme.

  “They can be of no use to you, Carlos, release them.”

  “You are very wrong, you know. This one,” he shook Lisa’s arm, “is of no use.” He pushed her toward Alex, who never took his eyes off Carlos, but managed to catch Lisa with one hand as she was propelled toward him. He never glanced at her but swept her behind him. He didn’t trust Carlos enough not to send her literally through the door.

  “Release the child, Carlos.” He never broke eye contact with the other vampire. Following his gaze, he saw him studying his ring. Using that to his advantage, Alex tilted his hand so it caught the barely visible light in the basement. Even in the dark, the ruby was identifiable as such. So Louis was correct. It was something Carlos wanted. The question was why.

  Alex purposely held that hand out in Carlos’ direction, toward the child. He took a step closer. He could feel Lisa moving in unison with him, as if she was his shadow. That would have been amusing if he were not so angered by her insistence on being present.

  “There is nothing the child can give you.”

  “But there is. She is probably the only one.”

  “Let her go. I will stay in her place.”

  “That won’t work, Alessandro. I need your blood.”

  He felt Lisa stiffen behind him. Had Carlos realized how much he revealed? “Perhaps you can use something else.”

  “Your blood. And since I can’t have yours, I’ll take this one.”

  Instantly, before Carlos finished the sentence, Alex was on him, delivering a blow between the vampire’s eyes, sending him reeling back, and releasing his hold on the child. In practically the same movement, Alex snatched the girl’s hand and shoved her toward Lisa, propelling them both out the door.

  It was more than enough time for Carlos to regain his senses and dive for the pair. Bad judgment on his part, Alex thought, pulling the vampire from practically mid-air and throwing him against the exposed brick wall of the basement. He was nearly to the door when he was seized by Carlos and thrown. But unlike Alex, his aim had been the glass door. The impact shattered the door, but gave Alex the position he wished to be in. Catching up with Lisa and Cassandra after he tumbled to a halt and regained his balance, he snatched them on the run and immediately took to the air. Cassandra’s screams trailed behind him then were quieted when they touched the ground.

  They didn’t have much time. Carlos was not hurt, and more than angry. Still not talking, Alex gathered them close, carrying them, and ran for Phillip’s. At least the church would provide sanctu
ary for them. Even Carlos was not brave enough to do much harm there.

  A moment later he ushered them inside the nave of the church. “You’ll be safe here,” he told them.

  Cassandra whimpered. He didn’t blame her. He stretched out a hand to caress her head and she flinched away from him. Didn’t blame her for that either, but Lisa seemed to as she crooned soft words to the child, telling her how he helped them, all the while glaring at him over the girl’s head.

  He gave her a crooked smile, telling her he would return as soon as he found the priest.

  By now, the sun was on the horizon and Philip seemed surprised to see him, especially since he was sure he looked worse for the wear.

  “Were you able to get her?” the priest asked.

  “Her and the nanny.” It was hard to keep the disgust out of his voice.

  Philip raised his eyebrows in question.

  “The idiot woman went after the girl even when we told her not to.”

  “I take it you brought them here,” he said as they started walking toward the nave of the church.

  Alex nodded. “Carlos is after them. More accurately, after the child.” Stopping, he put his hand on the other man’s arm. “You’re right Philip. He really does want the child. Something about he needs her blood – well, my blood, but that is the only way he can get it.”

  “That doesn’t sound at all good, Alex. What do you plan?”

  “I haven’t had time to plan anything, but for certain they can’t go back to the Morgan’s. I need a safe, secluded place.”

  “I know just the one.”

  As soon as Philip described it, Alex knew it would do. He also knew that it would be exceedingly dangerous if he were to take them there, if they d even consented to go with him.

  “It would be best if you were to take them and I can meet you there.”

  “Perhaps.” He gave Alex a worried look. “I don’t care for myself, Alex, but what if Carlos follows us, or prevents us from reaching our destination?”